If you’re looking for simple holiday activities, enjoy a fun family craft and create a special keepsake at the same time. Each of these handmade Christmas ornaments is perfect for DIY with kids.
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The kids are home from school for winter break. Odds are, they will last about two days before they get bored and start to squabble. Plan a few easy crafts to keep little hands busy in anticipation of Christmas.
Most of these handmade Christmas ornaments use everyday craft supplies that you might already have or can easily find. Best of all, you’ll have a beautiful keepsake to add to the tree every year.
I love decorating the Christmas tree and pulling out handmade ornaments every year. Our tree is messy and filled with handmade ornaments that don’t match.
Each one has a story, though. As I pull out the ornaments and hand them off to a child, one of them will say, “Remember when…”
We’ve been doing this so long – the kids are 9 and 12 as I write this post – that we have more ornaments than space on the tree. Some are also showing their age, so I keep them in a box as a memory.
Still, every year I just can’t resist making a few more DIY Christmas ornaments.
Handmade Christmas ornaments DIY ideas
Note: All photos are of ornaments that my kids and/or I made. We didn’t always follow the instructions 100 percent. Click each link to find out how to make each of the ornaments.
1. Stacked Button Tree Ornament | Modern Minerals
String buttons from small to large to create a tiny tree. Use shades of green or any color combination you love. This is a fun way to use up random buttons, but you can also purchase bulk buttons at Michaels.
2. Modern Paper Ornaments | Curbly
These modern paper ornaments resemble the funky vintage “onion” shapes. These would be cute strung together to make a garland for a mantle or window too.
3. Cinnamon Star Ornament | A Pretty Life in the Suburbs
One year I set up a small tree in my kitchen and decorated it with food – popcorn garland, dried orange slices, etc. A cinnamon star would make the perfect tree topper!
4. Paper Straw Geometric Ornaments | One Mama’s Daily Drama
I love all things Scandinavian/Nordic. These ornaments were inspired by Himmeli ornaments, made from real straw or reeds. You can make this kid-friendly version in tons of different shapes.
5. Wooden Sled Ornament | Fireflies and Mud Pies
This cute little sled is made from craft popsicle sticks. It reminds me of a retro one I have in my collection. You could even add a tiny passenger, such as a toy animal, sitting on it.
6. Cardboard Yarn Ornaments | Snap Creativity
These are so cute! You could easily make a dozen different yarn ornaments just by changing the yarn color and weaving patterns.
7. Christmas Button Wreath | Martha Stewart
This ornament is similar to the button tree above. If you have enough buttons, you could set up a craft station to make both.
8. Birdseed Ornaments | Eclectically Vintage
Although my bird feeder is a hotspot in the summer, most of the birds stick around through winter here in Texas too. Making a few of these to hang outside would be a welcome treat.
9. Scrap Ribbon Tree Ornament | Fireflies and Mud Pies
Any craft that uses up leftover supplies in my stash is a winner. You could easily change this one up to make a feather instead, by trimming the ribbon to different lengths.
10. Rustic Modern Twig Stars | North Story
Although these are similar to the cinnamon stick stars above, I just had to include them on this list. There’s something so festive about crafting with natural materials. We also made snowflakes with our twigs.
11. Star Wire Ornament | Alyssa and Carla
These are a bit trickier than most on this list, so they might be better suited for teens and adults than little kids. Still, the results are gorgeous.
12. LEGO Christmas Ornaments | One Mama’s Daily Drama
My favorite part about making these LEGO ornaments is that the kids can take them apart and put them back in the tub at the end of the month. They might also spark some other LEGO Christmas building ideas.
13. Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments | Completely Delicious
These lovely scented ornaments make a great gift for neighbors, teachers, etc. Of course, any cookie cutters will do, so we made ours into gingerbread men.
14. Handprint Snowman Ornament | Heathered Nest
I’ll confess that my kids made these in school. I’m sure they were a bit messy for the kindergarten teachers. Still, they are also my favorites now that my kids are older.
15. Melted Crayon Ornament | The Sweetest Occasion
These were heated in the oven, so make sure you’re using glass and not plastic. I love the idea of making them look like a galaxy and might add a few glitter stars too.
16. Embroidery Hoop Ornament | Sew Mama Sew
The year I made these, I hand-stitched one for each person and hung them on the stockings on Christmas eve.
17. Sprinkled Snowflake Cookie Ornaments | DIY Adulation
These almost look good enough to eat! Make a batch of salt dough and whip up a few dozen of these snowflakes in your favorite colors.
18. Ornament Ball Time Capsule | One Mama’s Daily Drama
You can put almost anything inside a clear plastic ball and turn it into a unique handmade ornament. Create a time capsule by combining special items from an event and a tag with the date or year.
19. DIY Superhero Ornaments | Busy Mom’s Helper
This tutorial includes patterns for 3 Marvel heroes and 3 DC heroes. You could also create your own pattern for others.
20. Temporary tattoo ornaments | Vikalpah
Temporary tattoos are much fancier than when I was a kid. Use them as decorative elements on the outside of a ball that’s been painted or filled for pretty, custom DIY Christmas ornaments.
What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
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